Mayahuel

Nestled on a block lined with Indian restaurants is a dark, brainy shrine to tequila and mezcal, with a brief menu of chic Mexican bar food (popcorn with lime, Cotija cheese and ancho chile; sushi-grade tuna marinated in mezcal, served with coconut-avocado mousse; churros with spiced Mexican chocolate and dulce de leche). Cocktails are perfectly balanced and almost academic exercises. The Smoked Palomino—with mezcal, amontillado sherry, grapefruit juice and lime juice—is as smoky as a single-malt Scotch from Islay. There are also Punch-O-Villas, like one with blanco tequila, jalapeño, lime, yellow Chartreuse, cucumber and mint. If you're looking for a clandestine, south-of-the-border-type speakeasy, this is the place.

Nestled on a block lined with Indian restaurants is a dark, brainy shrine to tequila and mezcal, with a brief menu of chic Mexican bar food (popcorn with lime, Cotija cheese and ancho chile; sushi-grade tuna marinated in mezcal, served with coconut-avocado mousse; churros with spiced Mexican chocolate and dulce de leche). Cocktails are perfectly balanced and almost academic exercises. The Smoked Palomino—with mezcal, amontillado sherry, grapefruit juice and lime juice—is as smoky as a single-malt Scotch from Islay. There are also Punch-O-Villas, like one with blanco tequila, jalapeño, lime, yellow Chartreuse, cucumber and mint. If you're looking for a clandestine, south-of-the-border-type speakeasy, this is the place.